The
Truman High School PTA is hosting a Drug Awareness and Prevention Workshop for
the parents of students enrolled in the Taylor School District. The event
is going to be held at Truman High School in the Media Center on Tuesday,
April 19.

The
content is focused on middle school and high school parents; however all
parents are invited to attend.

During
the workshop Lt. Mary Kapp of the Downriver Area Narcotics Organization will
be talking with parents about what drugs are popular and how to keep kids safe
from their influence. In addition to Lt. Kapp, parents will be able to
meet the Taylor Police Officer Liaisons that work in the district.

Pizza
will be served starting at 5:30 p.m. and Lt. Kapp will be starting her
presentation at 6.

“Favorites”
was the "March is Reading Month" theme at McDowell Elementary School.
Each classroom was asked to work on a display board based on their favorite
book throughout the month and then take turns presenting their board
during televised announcements. The students are doing a great job of speaking
with enthusiasm about their special projects. Here are a few that we hope you
enjoy, because those at the school sure have!

Holland
Elementary School’s amazing PTO is at it again. They are always doing fun
things for kids. Recently the school held its chip sale and the PTO was busy
counting money and filling orders. The money raised will be going towards “Fun
Day” at the end of the year!

Sunday, April 3, 2016

NOTE: News-Herald Newspapers' Reporter Jessica Strachan recently published the following story about The Mr. Holland's Opus Foundation and Music Rising's presentation of new instruments to Hoover Middle School.

Hoover
Middle School has received new musical instruments, thanks to The Mr. Holland’s
Opus Foundation and Music Rising.

The
foundation gives to music programs around the country that are losing funding
and to bands in underserved schools with minimal budgets, replacing some
instruments that are more than 30 years old.

Jim
Bergler, Hoover Middle School’s band director and longtime music leader in the
district, applied for the program and said it allows more students to be able
to play and experience the benefits of music education.

“Through
the generous donation of the Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation and Music Rising,
our band students and our school have been given more than school instruments,”
Bergler said. “They have been given a greater sense of dignity and pride in
their school band program.”

Many
of the instruments have been around since Bergler began teaching at the middle
school 25 years ago, he said.

“They
have served us well, but it is time for them to be officially retired and
replaced with some new instruments,” Bergler said.

Approximately
150 students in the seventh and eighth grades take part in band each year and
they perform in school concerts, band competitions, solo and ensemble
festivals, school assemblies, parades and other events in the community.

The
Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation was inspired by the 1995 motion picture “Mr.
Holland’s Opus” and founded by Michael Kamen, who composed the music for the
movie and several others.

In
the last 20 years, over 20,000 instruments have been donated to over 1,360
schools across the country.

“Learning
music in school is a way to engage kids and give them something that makes them
better students and better people,” said Felice Mancini, president and CEO of
the foundation. “They deserve every tool available to help them receive a
quality education, and we want to ensure that music is in that toolbox.”

Are you a student looking for community service hours? Or a school group looking to do a good deed for the community? An answer to everything you might be looking for is coming up right around the corner -- the third annual Heritage Park Cleanup Day, scheduled for 9 a.m. to noon April 16.The annual cleanup brought together 275 volunteers in 2014 and another 225 last year, all working to clean up Taylor's largest and most beautiful park, Heritage Park. This year's duties will be split into three main areas: Picking up litter in the park; spreading topsoil in front of the Sheridan Center Open Air Pavilion; and cleaning up the Coan Lake Historical Area.Volunteers must sign a liability form. Anyone under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. The group will meet in the Sheridan Center for registration. This is an event that goes on whether its rain or shine. Dress appropriately and bring work gloves.They be plenty of food, fun and great prizes. This is THE EVENT to attend if you like to volunteer.Be a volunteer and be a hero!For more information, contact Jim Taylor at bozko1@outlook.com or call (7345) 666-8968.

Taylor
Parks Elementary School had a special guest for March is Reading Month.

State
Representative Erika Geiss paid a visit to the school to read to Kindergarten
and first-grade students. Reading “Grace for President,” by Michigan
author Kelly DiPucchio, a very timely story, had students asking lots of
questions about becoming the president of the United States.

Truman
High School students Gaeb Kirk and Dayaseh Johnson both received first-division
(the highest ratings awarded) on their solos at State Solo and Ensemble
recently. A musical expert in their particular instrument judged and awarded
critiques and a final rating.

Truman
High School students had a very successful five days at the capitol during the “Youth
in Government” program in Lansing.

George
Felix was on the Governor's Cabinet and won the highest award for Most
Outstanding Participant. Nicolas Garcia's green lobbyist group finished in
second place in total points. Cindy Nyarko got a standing ovation in the talent
show with her rendition of Adele's "All I Ask.”

George
Felix did a powerful spoken word performance of "Insomnia.”

All
Truman students were well behaved and represented the school with dignity and
pride!! Those participating were George Felix, Nicolas Garcia, Alyson
Vallely, Passionay Smith, Cindy Nyarko, Rachel Zorn and Chelsea Gonzalez.

Congratulations
to the undefeated boys' basketball team from Holland Elementary School! The
club finished in first place at a tournament recently. Way to go Coach Smith,
Coach Gardner and the amazing Holland Huskies!

More
mystery readers have been appearing in Ms. Danaj's second grade classroom at
Holland Elementary School throughout March. Principal Mrs. McNiven-King made an
appearance and brought along a funny story to share. Mr. Todd read "Horton
Hears A Who" and brought junior police officer stickers to share.

In
March, Sarah Mullersman, an archaeologist from the Kelsey Museum in Ann Arbor
visited our seventh-grade geography classes at West Middle School.

She
provided the students with two hands-on activities. These activities gave
the students with a better understanding of the processes involved in
archaeology.

In
the first activity, the students worked cooperatively to put together broken
pottery. In the second activity, students investigated burial boxes to
hypothesize the gender, age, status and occupation of the deceased.

The
presentation was well received by staff and students. Through this experience,
the students know the skills and practices needed in successful archaeological
digs and discoveries.

State Representative Erika Geiss (D-12th District)
talked to the students at West Middle School earlier this year.

After a brief introduction, Geiss explained her duties as a state
representative of the cities of Taylor, Romulus, and a small portion of Van
Buren Township. She represents the largest population in Wayne County. This is
a huge responsibility, and Geiss is the local voice in Lansing.

Rep. Geiss said, “I work for all of you: your
parents, friends and neighbors.” Some of her responsibilities include
researching and writing bills, working to get bills passed into laws and
sitting on four committees. Rep. Geiss said that her most
important duty, though,was listening to her constituents – the people of
her district.

Rep. Geiss really enjoys is visiting schools and
hearing the thoughts or students. She also read to students in the
elementary schools for Reading Month in March.

The students at West were very intrigued to meet a public
figure and listened intently. Many students took advantage
of their opportunity to ask questions. Among other things,
the students asked about the Flint water crisis, the length of her
service, her campaign, writing laws, compromise and some of the requirements
needed to become a representative.

Rep. Geiss made it easy for to understand how the
legislature can work for people, and why they need to use their voices in
government.

Taylor
Parks Elementary School second-grade pupils in Mrs. Zielinski’s class had a
very special guest reader recently.

Mary
Krzeczkowski of the Taylor Garden Club read to the students a very special book
titled “The Frightened Frog, an environmental tale.”

Mrs.
Krzeczkowski, a member of Alpha Delta Kappa, is a retired Taylor teacher, and
had the perfect story telling experience to keep the children captivated. They
asked tons of questions regarding the environment. The Taylor Garden Club
purchased and donated copies of the book to the school libraries.